AUGUSTA — An expansion in shelter capacity, ongoing state funding for supportive housing, along with winter warming centers, all impacted Maine’s annual Point In Time Count, which was conducted on January 22, 2025.
Overall, the total number of those experiencing some form of homelessness was down by 282 people when compared to the year before.
The state’s annual assessment of homelessness, done in collaboration between the Maine Continuum of Care and MaineHousing, is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is an important component used to determine Maine’s share of federal homelessness funding.
This year’s count shows that 2,413 people were experiencing homelessness on the night of the count, down 282 from the 2024 count and a continuation of a downward trend that may reflect a return to pre-pandemic era homelessness levels.
Data from this year’s count also illustrates the results of Maine’s fight against homelessness, such as the work undertaken by the City of Portland, Prosperity Maine, and Catholic Charities of Maine to help more than 400 families secure housing in 2024.
This year’s data also reflects a decrease, of 25.6 percent, in the number of children in Maine experiencing homelessness during the Point In Time Count.
Other key takeaways from this year’s report include:
• An increase in the number of people sheltered during the count reflects greater capacity, mainly due to winter overnight warming centers available across Maine and funded by the State of Maine through the Emergency Housing Relief Fund.
• A decrease in the number of individuals who were living in transitional housing. This likely reflects a shift toward permanent supportive housing developments that serve the same population.
• A 3.3 percent increase in the number of households without children that were experiencing homelessness on the night of the count, or 50 more households.
“We know we have a long way to go yet in ensuring that when homelessness is experienced in Maine, it is rare and brief — even one person experiencing homelessness in our state is one too many,” said Maine’s Continuum of Care Executive Director Dean Klein. “But this year’s Point In Time also gives us reasons to be hopeful in that we appear to be moving the needle in the right direction. While only a glimpse at the state of homelessness, this annual exercise continues to help us strengthen our homelessness response and build a better data network through our nine regional Homeless Hub Coordinators.”
Maine’s 9 Regional Homeless Hub Coordinators organize and orchestrate Maine’s count each year. This work includes recruiting volunteers to help with outreach and surveying during the count. And while the critical work of finding and helping those experiencing homelessness is ongoing, the extraordinary effort that goes into the count each year includes providing critical resources to individuals and families, such as blankets, food, water, warm clothing, as well as information and assistance in obtaining shelter or housing.
“While quantifiable data is a primary goal of the Point in Time Count, its true impact lies in the collaborative spirit it inspires,” said Hub 9 Coordinator Shelby Wilson. Hub 9 includes all of Aroostook County.
“The count goes beyond a single night,” Wilson said. “It galvanizes our community to unite in service, advocacy, and visibility for those experiencing homelessness. Whether distributing essentials, connecting individuals to critical services, or raising funds, every person and organization contributes in a way that reflects their unique strengths and capabilities. These collective efforts foster a deeper, year-round partnership—one that enriches our understanding and informs real-time data far beyond the snapshot captured during the count.”
“During this year’s Point-in-Time Count in Hub 7, more than 30 volunteers came together to survey individuals experiencing homelessness. On the streets, warming centers, and other locations,” said Hub 7 Homeless Response Service Coordinator Jennifer Weatherbee. Hub 7 includes all of Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.
“I was deeply moved by the community spirit, with homeless services providers, local university students, local organizations, municipalities, and residents all working side by side,” Weatherbee said. “Thanks to generous donations, we were also able to provide much-needed supplies. It truly takes a village, and this effort shows that when a community shows up, it really makes a difference.”